José Mourinho, never one to shy away from commenting on such situations, joked after the match about the toughness of the duel. Referring to Aurier, he mentioned that the Ivorian defender doesn’t usually play in PSG’s starting lineup, adding that Thiago Silva, David Luiz, and Marquinhos are the usual suspects in defense. Mourinho also quipped that Diego Costa may have been a bit too soft in his interactions with Aurier, suggesting that the PSG player was looking to make a mark in a game that didn’t lack intensity.
Despite the friendly label, the match clearly had its fair share of aggressive tackles, with both teams playing for pride and setting the stage for what could be a feisty season ahead. The rivalry between the two teams seems to be fueled even further, especially with Chelsea’s strong remarks after the match.